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-- Posted by Keith on 12:03
pm on May 17, 2001
It is with great sadness that
I have to report the death of Ian White (Sheffield Traveling
Valiants). Ian had been suffering from illness for a number of
weeks and tragically took his own life early yesterday morning.
I'm one of a number people trying to pass on this sad news
to as many people as possible, who knew Ian. Ian was a very
frequent visitor to this message board and a regular contributor to
discussions about the club he cared so passionately for.
The funeral will be in Sheffield next Thursday morning at
10:30. You can contact me if you wish to attend and I'll let
you have further details.
Regards,
Keith Sherratt
keith_sherratt@hotmail.com
-- Posted by Gary B on
12:29 pm on May 17, 2001
Many of us one here knew Ian
White and if we didn't we'd all certainly heard of him
For
several years now Ian has been a regular visitor and contributor to
Valemail and the message board and love him or loathe him there was
never any doubt that his heart was in the right place and his
passion for Port Vale was unquestionable.
Some supporters,
particularly Stokies loved to hate him as he loved to hate sjoke as
Ian called them and that made him all the more likeable to Valiants.
The saying "Vale til I die" is used frequently by
supporters but I'm sure that Ian still is and always will be black
and white through and through despite what is a tragic and very
premature end to his life.
My thoughts are with Henry Rudgie
White
Rest In Peace Ian
For those that knew
Ian - would anyone be interested in making a donation for flowers
and a possible donation towards little Henry Rudgie White?
If people are interested then they should either call in at
the club (Marketing Department) and ask for Gary, or reply to me at
gary.benson@port-vale.co.uk
-- Posted by Tim B on 12:36
pm on May 17, 2001
This brings everything else
into perspective. Totally tragic.
Sincere condolences to all
Ian's friends & family.
-- Posted by bycarsboys on
1:11 pm on May 17, 2001
sincere condolences to all
Ian's family and freinds. It was always a pleasure to read his posts
because you knew what he said come from the heart of a Vale fanatic
R.I.P my freind and UP THE VALE !!!!!!!!
-- Posted by kirsty on 1:15
pm on May 17, 2001
I will definetly make a
donation Gary.
My thoughts go out to Ian's family and
friends and little Henry.
-- Posted by Redditch
Valiant on 1:15 pm on May 17, 2001
I never met Ian, but his
postings always made me smile. Deepest and heartfelt sympathies to
his family and friends.
-- Posted by Guernsey Dave
on 1:27 pm on May 17, 2001
I seriously hope
this is not a wind up. Sad news indeed is
its true.
GD
-- Posted by AndyK on 1:37
pm on May 17, 2001
This is one hell of a shock. I
never met Ian but I felt like I knew him from all his messages. This
message board will be all the worse or his absence.
Condolences to his family.
-- Posted by Tom Miller on
2:35 pm on May 17, 2001
I'm very shocked and I really
don't know what to say. I'm sure Ian will be greatly missed but all
of us Vale fans, and indeed even some Stokies too. He was a familiar
face at Vale Park having followed Vale home and away for the last 20
years from his Sheffield home, and founded the famous "Sheffield
Travelling Valiants" supporters group. I feel lucky to have had the
chance to travel with him to many matches over the last few years,
indeed, we travelled to Luton togerther only a couple of weeks ago.
He will be sadly missed.
His funeral will take place next
Thursday in Sheffield.
Tom Miller
(formerly of Sheffield
Traveling Valiants).
Sheffield
Traveling Valiants
-- Posted by Neil Hughes on
3:41 pm on May 17, 2001
I would like to express my
deep sorrow at this news and would like to pass on my condolances to
Ians family and friends.
(Edited by Neil Hughes at 3:43 pm
on May 17, 2001)
-- Posted by Pie Man on
4:03 pm on May 17, 2001
I'd like to express my deepest
sympathy to Ian's Family.
-- Posted by Glenn on 4:41
pm on May 17, 2001
I'm completely shocked by
this.
It is just 12 days since we were off to Luton
together, Ian, Tom Miller, Rob W and me, and Ian seemed in fine
form.
In fact, better than he had been for a while.
His son, Henry, growing up, and Ian doting on him.
A
new girlfriend, after the earlier split-up of his marriage.
Back on the road with the STVs, including a fantastic
weekend in Cardiff.
And the General Election coming up, and
every chance of his beloved Labour Party winning.
I really
can't believe this.
Ian, what have you gone and done that
for, you silly bugger ?
Glenn
-- Posted by Glenn on 4:43
pm on May 17, 2001
IMHO, no flowers, so all
donations go to Henry, would be to the best effect.
(Edited
by Glenn at 4:45 pm on May 17, 2001)
-- Posted by Macko on 4:46
pm on May 17, 2001
As a Stokie I came to look on
Ian as a pain in the backside at times, but at least his posts were
always humorous and intelligent, and no one could doubt his total
passion for the club he followed. I may have thought he was
misguided in his choice of club, but I have always admired the fan
who sticks with club through thick and thin, and lets face it both
sides of the potteries have seen plenty of thin recently!
It's a
tragedy in the real sense of the word, and my thoughts and
condolences go out to his family.
Macko
-- Posted by cookie on 5:09
pm on May 17, 2001
I'm very sad indeed to hear of
this.
My condolences go to all who were close to ian.
-- Posted by BFB on 6:15 pm
on May 17, 2001
I have just found out that Ian
White the Sheffield Travelling Valiant has died. I am not really
interested in how or why he has died just the fact that he is no
longer with us.
For most of the last 20 years Ian has been
my nemesis, the person I most loved to hate. My best enemy, someone
I could have a good snipe and argument with. Who could forget the
shock felt when Ian admitted to wanting a good job and house. His
delight at the friendly victory Vale had over Stoke and his utter
horror when I agreed that Vale deserved to win. The away matches I
went to the Vale with him in my late teens and the awful Beresford
Port Vale bus. His brief refusal to drink Bass when he found out
that Bass owned Carling who were sponsoring Stoke at the time. The
naming of his son after John Rudge. His standing as a
candidate for Sheffield in his Vale scarf. The mail messages with
photo attachments that took an age to download. His campaign against
Bill Bell and his refusal to understand John Rudges move to
Stoke.
Port Vale football club to me will always be linked
with Ian for now and forever. That maniac from Sheffield who keeps
us all amused with his works of fiction in the sentinel and
his rambling on the various message boards. Until the last few
years Ian dedicated at lot of his life and money to supporting Vale
home and away from his base in Sheffield. Something only a true
football fan and not a glory hunter would do.
Local football
to me will never be the same again, something will be missing from
now on.
IAN WHITE.
-- Posted by mica on 6:25
pm on May 17, 2001
There was a time when Ian and
I had many happy battles, with an undercurrent of friendly emails
besides the web site posts. I'm very sorry to hear this news.
Sending UK currency from where I live is a total pain but if
someone wants to make a contribution to his son on my behalf I'll
pay them back the next time I'm Stoke/IBPU-bound.
M:-(
-- Posted by TCB on 6:32 pm
on May 17, 2001
I'm shattered.
This is
a tragedy.
I had met Ian, and though he and I frequently
clashed
politically, it was knockabout stuff, and he was the
loudest, but most affable and likeable fellow to meet.
He
was a passionate bloke, where it came to politics
and football.
Perhaps, as has been said elsewhere,
occasionally a little too
passionate. But he wouldn't
have been Ian had he not been like
that.
He was devoted to his son, Henry.
God rest
Ian, give him peace, and heal the hearts now
broken by his
absence. God guide those who have care
of Henry, that he may be
cared for, and he may always
know who his father was, and how
much his father loved him. Amen.
I shall miss him. He was
part of the furniture which made up Vale for me - we'll all be the
poorer for his loss.
If I may use a metaphor, Ian was the
pinch of yeast
which made the bread rise, the hint of mustard
which
gave the meal its flavour.
:(
-- Posted by Dave Frith on
6:37 pm on May 17, 2001
I can't say that I knew Ian
White particularly well or even got on with him when I did meet him
on a few occasions. My only contact with him was via the message
boards. Ian was an expert wind-up merchant, particularly when Vale
had got the better of Stoke (on more occasions for my liking:-)),
and I remember some real message board battles over the Britannia
Stadium when it was first built. I hardly ever agreed with what Ian
had to say, and I daresay he felt the same about me, but we were
both passionate about our clubs and that was the most important
thing.
This is terrible news and my condolensces go out to
his friends and family, and of course, and most importantly, young
Henry Rudgie.
Losing a football game seems a bit trivial
when you consider that a young boy has just lost his dad.
-- Posted by moz11 on 6:43
pm on May 17, 2001
Sincere condolences to Ian's
family and especially his son, Henry.
I will be making my
donation a.s.a.p.
-- Posted by EVE6 on 6:46
pm on May 17, 2001
Tragic news just like to add
my condolences to Ian's friends and family .
-- Posted by Tenement
Funster on 6:49 pm on May 17, 2001
What a shock! I just can't
believe it. Again I never met him but that has never mattered on
this messageboard.
My deepest condolences.
-- Posted by birdy on 7:14
pm on May 17, 2001
First time I met him was on
Devonshire Green at a free fetival in Sheffield, wearing the Vale
away top, ace there's at least two of us in the city.
Full
of passion & pride for the Vale.
I just wish there were a
few more like you out there.
Thourghts with the family and
friends.
Ian, we'll sing on for you.
North London
Valiants
& ex Sheffield Valiant
-- Posted by PhillM on 7:48
pm on May 17, 2001
I never met Ian but, like most
people who post here, I go to know him a little through this board.
My deepest condolences to his family and especially his son.
God be with him. May he rest in peace.
-- Posted by Tone on 8:27
pm on May 17, 2001
I must add my reaction to this
tragic news. I met Ian a couple of times, but it was through
Valemail, the messageboard and chatting with him on IM's that I
really felt I knew Ian. We all know how passionate he was and he
will be a great loss to us all, but by no means in comparison to
Henry's loss. I am sadly away from the country next week but would
like to contribute to the fund for Henry. Where do we send donations
Gary?
I'm stunned.....
Don't really know what more
to say.... except God rest his soul.
Tony
-- Posted by RobW on 8:45
pm on May 17, 2001
I've been looking at this
thread on and off for much of the day, and it's still only just
sinking in.
I only met Ian once, only the other week in
fact, when I went to Luton with him, Glenn and Tom Miller. I know
him mainly from his posts on here.
It was obvious that he
was passionate about Vale and his beliefs, and Vale and the ideals
he believed in will suffer his loss.
It really is terrible
news, and my thoughts are with his friends and family, especially
his son Henry Rudgie White.
-- Posted by Ben on 8:58 pm
on May 17, 2001
again, i never knew him but
was pointed out to him several times. i dont mean this in a
sarcastic way but his bright green fleece and old vale away top will
be missed......
i cant believe it. i saw him (from afar) at
the notts county game when there were all them screaming kids as he
called them in the family stand
BEN
-- Posted by shag on 9:00
pm on May 17, 2001
R.I.P
shag.
-- Posted by Gary B on
10:07 pm on May 17, 2001
For anyone wishing to make a
dionation I think there is a trust being set-up for little Henry and
hopefully there will be more information available within the next
few days.
anyone wishing to make a cash donation can call in
the marketing department, just ask for Gary and I'll gladly pass on
any cash or cheques
-- Posted by Mel on 10:56
pm on May 17, 2001
I'm completely staggered. Ian
always, from his posts, seemed a chap who was full of life and to
hear of his death coming in the manner it did - words cannot
express. I sometimes 'had a go' - in the nicest possible way - for
his being negative on the board but he obviously had a big heart and
cared passionately about Vale, his political ideals and his family.
I don't know whether Ian had any religious faith but God
will surely receive him with open arms. Condolences to his
family.
-- Posted by gavcradd on
11:45 pm on May 17, 2001
My condolences to his family,
and especially to little Henry. I must be in the minority having
never met Ian, but his posts on this board always lightened up my
day. God bless.
-- Posted by ChrisR on 1:28
am on May 18, 2001
I'm completely
stunned..........what more can I say that hasn't already been said.
I may not have agreed with everything Ian said and believed
in, but he could never be ignored! The sight of that battered brown
leather jacket will be sadly missed.
RIP Ian.
-- Posted by Derek W on
9:32 am on May 18, 2001
I read this yesterday and I'm
still stunned. I met Ian a few times and I'm in disbelief.
My thoughts are with Ian's family and friends.
-- Posted by Big G on 9:34
am on May 18, 2001
ok, stuff like this, as Rob W
says, takes a while to sink in but i now feel i should say something
Ian will be greatly missed...
my friend sent me a
text yesterday to bring this thread to my attention and he was as
shocked as i am...
Although (like many others) i'd never met
Ian, i know he cared passionately about the club and couldn't wait
to see the back of Bell! :)
My deepest sympathy goes out to
all his friends and family...
R.I.P - Ian White...
-- Posted by Add Brown on
11:08 am on May 18, 2001
It gave me goosebumps to read
the heart felt sorrow of many fellow messageboard Vale Fans. I
enjoyed communicating with Ian through this messageboard as his
posts were always intelligent and he was not afraid to say what he
thought.
What a terrible tragedy.
Rest in Peace
Ian.
-- Posted by Glenn on 11:34
am on May 18, 2001
Quote: from mica on 6:25 pm
on May 17, 2001
There was a time when Ian and I had many happy
battles, with an undercurrent of friendly emails besides the web
site posts. I'm very sorry to hear this news.
Sending UK
currency from where I live is a total pain but if someone wants to
make a contribution to his son on my behalf I'll pay them back the
next time I'm Stoke/IBPU-bound.
M:-(
Mica,
I'll
sort it out for you.
Please drop me a quick email, as I'm
having trouble getting through to yours.
Regards,
Glenn
-- Posted by Mark
Wolstanton on 1:36 pm on May 18, 2001
My relationship with Ian
mirrors that described by Mica.
This is very sad news. My
thoughts are with his family, particularly his young son whom I pray
is given every opportunity possible in life despite this tradgedy.
Wherever Ian is, I hope he has found a pc, minus caps lock of
course.
R.I.P.
-- Posted by Derek W on
1:37 pm on May 18, 2001
I think there should be
something in the first day match programme on Ian and his passion
for following PVFC. He literally did clock up well over a 100K
miles in his Cavalier following his beloved team. He will be
missed.
-- Posted by JonnyBravo on
1:59 pm on May 18, 2001
Could some of the money vale
won for winning the fairplay league be donated.It sounds like a
truly worth cause to me
-- Posted by Keith on 2:58
pm on May 18, 2001
For those wishing to attend
Ian’s cremation, it will be held at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium,
Abbey Lane, Sheffield on Thursday 24th May at 10:30am.
There
are some wonderful sentiments expressed about Ian in this thread and
they show how many people have been left reeling with shock at Ian’s
tragic departure. A trust fund is being set up for Henry (in
fact Ian’s Will mandates this) and I will let everyone know when
this is done.
I first met Ian 23 years ago when I started
high school in Stoke-on-Trent and was intrigued by the tall skinny
lad in my class who for some reason didn’t support Liverpool or Man
Utd like every other 11 year old I knew. He just kept going on
about the Vale. Six months later I was sat on a knackered old
Beresford’s bus on my way to Vale Park with him. I’ve been to
a few hundred more matches since, but only ever attended two when
Ian wasn’t either stood or sat next to me.
As one of the
executors of his Will I’ve been entrusted to carry out his final
wishes. I thought I’d share the following extract from his
Will with his friends here on the message board….
“… My
ashes shall be sprinkled on Vale Park Burslem Stoke-on-Trent
irrespective of cost or legality. i.e. leg in over a hoarding
and get me on the pitch before kick-off if you have to…”
I’m
sure you’ll agree that this sums up Ian to a tee.
RIP Ian.
-- Posted by Mark Heyward
on 3:34 pm on May 18, 2001
I just want to reitterate what
everybody else has said.Ian was a genuinely lovely, passionate
bloke.I'll always remember the Flat-Cap March up to the ground that
(I think)he helped to organise.I went up to him and told him that he
should be proud of himself for what he'd done and I shook his
hand.I'll never forget the way he really beamed with pride.What a
bloke.
Can't the club create something permanent in his memory-I
dunno,a tree or something?
R.I.P Ian.
-- Posted by Gary B on 3:43
pm on May 18, 2001
Having spoken to Club
Secretary Bill Lodey yesterday and Director Andrew Belfield today
I'm pleased to say that Keith won't have to "leg it over the
hoardings before kick-off" to sprinkle Ian's ashes over the pitch
although knowing Ian he'd probably have preferred to do that.
Andrew Belfield also said that whilst Ian often didn't see
eye to eye with the board of directors he supported Port Vale with a
passion that was second to none.
He would like to pass
on his sincerest condolences to Ian's family from everyone at Port
Vale Football Club following this tragic news
-- Posted by shian on 6:30
pm on May 18, 2001
R I P Ian
shian
-- Posted by arnoldthebat
on 7:13 pm on May 18, 2001
RIP Ian.
-- Posted by dubai pete on
8:32 pm on May 18, 2001
I too did not know Ian,but
have just spent an hour going back through some off topic postings
he made in the last few months.
He strikes me as clever,erudite
man with a strong sense of justice and fairplay.What a bloody
waste...what a loss for his family and his extended family of fellow
Port Vale supporters.
Why??
Why at this time with Vale on a
high,a trophy in the cabinet,great optimism for next season and his
beloved Labour party three weeks away from being returned again to
continue their valiant repair and renovation of the awful legacy of
Thatchers Britain?
It is truly tragic and an utter waste.
Rest in Peace
-- Posted by Vale4eva on
9:40 pm on May 18, 2001
Although I didn't know Ian it
seems he was much loved and respected by all. It truly hurts to lose
such greats, my grandad who was Vale through and through died in
March, but it does become easier. I'll never forget crying at
Cardiff for him becuase I was so proud of the Vale winning the cup
and staying up for him. It was after his death that we started
playing like Brazil. Lets get behind the lads next year and win the
league for Ian and his lad. RIP Ian White- always respected never to
be forgotten.
-- Posted by Corinne on
1:14 pm on May 19, 2001
Deepest condolences from
Rýchard and I.
RIP Ian
-- Posted by ian on 8:42 pm
on May 19, 2001
Thanks for all the nice things
you say about Ian. To know that so many people knew him and
cared about him helps to deal with what happened. He was a
Vale til he died and I hope that he will always be remembered as
one...
Annemie (Ian's partner)
-- Posted by DMF on 9:22 pm
on May 19, 2001
I only knew of Ian through his
posts and letters to the Sentinel but I'm shocked and saddened to
read the terrible news of what's happened. I too would like to offer
my condolences to his family and friends.
-- Posted by the tench on
10:21 pm on May 20, 2001
condolences to all
concerned,the message board will be poorer for his passing.
RIP IAN
TENCH
-- Posted by ValeDave on
3:06 am on May 21, 2001
From Valiants near and
far.........
R.I.P. Ian
Valedave
Sarasota
Florida.
USA
-- Posted by Stephen on
9:02 am on May 21, 2001
I never met Ian neither, but
we "talked" vis e-mail, esp. at the time of the Matchboard
sponsorship some years ago and the Rudgie flat cap march.
Words are not enough, and fail me, anyway. I'd be proud
to contribute to the fund.
-- Posted by markwhite on
1:31 pm on May 21, 2001
This is Ian's brother. Can I
thank everybody for their contributions. What is being written here
is going to be a tremendous comfort to Ian's mum June,to Henry and
his mum Jennyfer, to his step-dad Derek,to the family of his late
dad Arnold (and to me).
I have a 'photo of Ian at Cardiff. He
looks so happy.We won the cup and he was with his beautiful,gentle
partner Annemie.
Ian's dad was Vale through and through.Let's
hope Henry is. We'll do our best! Thank you so much for doing this
everybody.
-- Posted by Glenn on 3:17
pm on May 21, 2001
Hallo Mark,
It would
be very nice if you could send a copy of that photograph to Gary
Benson -
Gary's
email
- and perhaps it could be included somewhere in
this site.
All the best,
Glenn
(Edited by Glenn
at 3:20 pm on May 21, 2001)
-- Posted by Gary B on
10:58 am on May 22, 2001
As requested a photo of Ian
and Annemie at The Millennium Stadium on 22nd April following Vale's
2-1 win over Brentford in the LDV Vans Trophy Final
-- Posted by Glenn on 3:34
pm on May 22, 2001
Thanks very much, Gary.
Fantastic photo, one to save.
GOOOO ARRRNN YOU
MIGHTY IAN !!!
-- Posted by Glenn on 5:01
pm on May 22, 2001
Thank you also to Mark for the
photo.
-- Posted by Glenn on 9:11
pm on May 22, 2001
Gary,
Any advance on
details of payments towards Henry's Trust Fund ?
-- Posted by David Carter
on 11:32 am on May 23, 2001
Deepest condolences from
supporters of Middlesbrough FC who knew Ian from when he was
studying at Teesside Polytechnic and was active in our local Labour
Party. We remember him leading a pitch invasion at Ayresome Park
when Boro were promoted after one season in the old Division 3 at
the end of 1986/87 season. If anything good can come of this, let us
hope it will make more people aware of the tragedy of mental illness
and support the provision of more funding to combat it.
-- Posted by Glenn on 1:24
pm on May 23, 2001
Hello David,
Messageboard message sent to you.
Please click the
flashing envelope at the top of the page.
-- Posted by Tonoa Vale on
10:43 am on May 24, 2001
My sincerest condolances to
all who knew Ian. He will be missed.
-- Posted by RobW on 12:50
pm on May 24, 2001
TCB's excellent obituary to
Ian can be found here -
http://portvale.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=921&p=2&stid=8123214
-- Posted by Gary B on
10:51 pm on May 24, 2001
It was Ian's funeral today at
the Hutcliffe Crematorium in Sheffield. I travelled up there with
former director Neil Hughes, Neil was probably one of the few
directors in recent times that Ian ever got on with.
Ian was
the same age as myself and it was particularly moving for me to see
little Henry there at just 5 years old, the same age as my son,
looking pretty oblivious to what was happenning. It's usch a sad sad
loss for a lovely little boy.
On what was an absolutely
glorious day, not a cloud in the sky, in beautiful surroundings of
the peak district there was a good 'turnout' if that's the word to
use which showed just how popular Ian was and how sadly he'll be
missed by all his friends and family.
I'm glad to say that
one particular friend of Ian's that was there was John Rudge and I'm
sure that Ian would have been looking down and been absolutely
thrilled to bits.
It isn't difficult to see what Ian saw in
Rudgie and why he admired him so much. Rudgie really is a top bloke
isn't he.
I'm sure many of you will remember the part Ian
played in organising the Flat Cap March and whilst it took Ian a
while to 'come to terms' with Rudgie going to Stoke he never gave in
trying to convince Rudgie of the error of his ways as he wrote to
him a number of times after the move.
In the service some of
Ian's campaigns as Vale supporter and Labour supporter were
detailed, many of which had everyone laughing and smiling as they
bought back memories of what made Ian, Ian. I'm sure he'd have been
beaming proudly as his hatred for Stoke and their defeat
against Blythe Spartans all managed to find a way in to the service
in a light hearted and humorous way that even Rudgie could chuckle
away to himself at.
As we all left we were all handed a
small card with a photograph of Ian on it which simply said
_____________________________
IN MEMORY OF
IAN
the bestest Dad in the world
the bestest at giving
hugz
the wildest driver
the most dedicated Vale fan
the
one who made things happen in politics
and most of all, the
friend who was always there
We Miss You Ian
I hope you have
found peace my bear
Annemie
_____________________________
RIP Ian White
For those wanting to know details of the trust fund for
Henry, I'll pass details on as soon as I have them
-- Posted by birdy on 11:26
pm on May 24, 2001
I too, was in Sheffield today,
with a couple of other Valiants.
It was great to here so
many stories about him & PV, and his life.
It was a sad day,
but also a day of celebration about Ians 110% Commitment to Henry,
Vale, Politics etc etc.
Beautiful service & as i said
before we'll keep singing for you mate. RIP.
North London
Valiants
-- Posted by KathrynAnn on
12:22 am on May 25, 2001
Despite being a close friend
of Ian's, I never quite understood his passion for Port Vale...after
all, it was football! Being a good rugby lass, I thought he
was simply confused.
But his passion for the club always
shone through. The last time I saw Ian, it was to welcome him
to Cardiff about five weeks ago for the Leyland Daf Trophy final.
I was really proud of our fantastic Millennium Stadium, and
after the game (despite the rain!) he raved about our
ground...although did this have something to do with the result??!
Having been to Ian's funeral in Sheffield today, I know how
honoured he would have been to have had Rudgie there...I hope that
those of you who knew Ian through Port Vale will always remember
him, and his passion for the game.....whenever I hear the words
"Port Vale" I will think of him
KATHRYN-ANN
Cardiff
-- Posted by Neil Hughes on
8:01 am on May 25, 2001
Although it was a very sad
day, I was privleged to attend the funeral yesterday of Ian White.
So.. he sometimes drove you up the wall with his utterings.. but his
passion for PVFC was never in question and I can recall many
telephone conversations late into the evening between us...
He
will be sadly missed and I hope people will support generously the
Trust Fund for little Henry.
Ian White - top bloke -
RIP
-- Posted by Ziggy on 10:20
am on May 25, 2001
I first read this thread a
week ago & it's taken me this long to respond due to my utter
shock & disbelief!
"Derek I'm Gutted" is my only
response.
Perhaps we could re-name the "Away supporters club
player of the year trophy" after Ian & the STV's??
Ian,
who I only had direct contact with through the msg's was, as he
commented, my "twin" (same kind of job, political
views, vale views, twisted SOH etc.) I will never be able to
physically meet him !!
Goodbye to a person I had the utmost
respect for, gained in an indirect way in the past and recently
directly but impersonally, in a short space of time. With Ian I
intuitivly knew that if I thought something he would usually think
the same.
-- Posted by markwhite on
12:49 pm on May 25, 2001
Ian's brother again. Words
can't express the support that we have had from Vale fans far and
wide and yesterday would have made him so proud.
I've just
finished talking to Gary.We are putting a brick in Lorne Street for
Ian. When we've done that I'll tell people where it is.
Ian's
ashes will be going to Vale soon and,again,I'll tell people when
we've done that.
Finally,for now we'll be sponsoring the ball in
his memory one day next season and I will ask Gary to publicise that
nearer the time.
take care everybody.
-- Posted by AndyK on 4:47
pm on May 25, 2001
Reading about the funeral just
makes it all seem so much sadder that it happened. Why on earth did
he do it? I guess there's no real answer to that one, is there? It
does sound as if he had an excellent send-off, though.
-- Posted by Tom Miller on
4:48 pm on May 25, 2001
I too was privalaged to be at
Ian's funeral yesterday, where some very fitting tributes were made.
I'm sure Ian would have been thrilled that John Rudge was there.
Rudgie was reminiscing of his memories of Ian, be they the
personal meetings, the many letters Ian wrote to him suggesting
improvements at the Vale, and of course, tha flat cap march,
brilliantly organised by Ian.
Personally, I'll always
remember Ian every time I go to Vale Park from now on. I used to
have a season ticket next to him on the Bycars and travelled to many
games both home and away witn him from Sheffield. It won't be the
same next season, with him not being there any more.
I'll
always remember some of the crazy things we did together. His son
Henry's first game at Vale Park, when Henry must have been about 3.
It was Vale v WBA and Lee Hughes scored a hat-trick as we lost 0-3.
Ian was torn between trying to cheer the Vale on and looking after
Henry, who had decided (quite wisely) that the game wasn't much to
watch and it was much more fun crawling randomly all over the Bycars
underneath everyone's legs!
Blowing up 843 balloons in a pub
in Ipswich to take into Portman Road to commerorate Rudgie in the
first game after his sacking. You had to be there to see it. I've
never tried blowing up a balloon since! All Ian's idea - his first
tribute to Rudgie.
Some of the away reserve matches we went
to in Yorkshire. We were mentioned in the Sheff Wednesday fanzine
after one particulary mad night at Hillsborough (John Rudge said
yesterday that this was one of his personal favourite memories of
Ian). Ian sang his heart out for 90 minutes. A few weeks later we
went to Barnsley reserves (away) in a thunderstorm. The players were
looking at Ian thinking "Oh no, not him again, he's crazy and he'll
be getting on our backs if we don't play well!". In fact the only
player Ian "got at" that night was Robbie Van Der Laan of
Barnsley, but they exchanged a few nice words at the end.
Some of the road trips we did. It was always an
adrenaline-filled adventure, travelling with Ian.
But my best
memory of Ian was when Vale finally won away at Sheffield Utd. Ian
had lived in Sheffield for over a decade but had never seen Vale win
at Bramall Lane, and had taken quite a bit of stick off the locals
over the years. Finally, we won 3-1 there last year, and I've never
seen a smile as wide as Ian's was at the end of the game in all my
life.
Here is a story about Ian which I believe to be true.
In the early 1990's Ian was on his was from Sheffield to Stoke for a
Stoke v Vale game at the Victoria Ground, when he was involved in a
bad car smash with a telegraph pole. Apparently the only thing he
was concerned about when the emergency services arrived was the
whereabouts of his match ticket, which had been on his dashboard. He
insisted he was taken straight to the Victoria Ground rather than to
a hospital, and went to the game covered in blood. Only afterwards
did he take himself to a hospital to get the glass fragments
removed. His devotion to Port Vale was incredible.
Rest in
Peace, Ian. You will be greatly missed.
Tom Miller
(formerly of Sheffield Travelling Valiants, 1997-2000).
-- Posted by Keith on 5:11
pm on May 25, 2001
It certainly is true Tom.
I had to drive him to the hospital after the match. I
remember the look on the face of the nurse at the A&E check-in
desk when she asked Ian some questions;
Nurse: "Hmm, when
did this happen"
Ian: "Err, about 3 hours ago"
Nurse: "What!
Where have you been until now?"
Ian: "At a football match"
Nurse: Silence
When Ian hit the telegraph pole his
car ended up upside down, and the first thing he did was start to
scrabble around for his ticket whilst still hanging upside down
supported by his seat belt.
It all sounds too ridiculous to
be true, but believe me every word of it is.
Keith
-- Posted by ian on 8:41 pm
on May 28, 2001
I just wanted to let you know
that tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3pm, we're coming to Stoke, to sprinkle
Ian's ashes on his favorite football ground. If anyone would
like to attend, we can meet in front of the Vale shop at 2.50pm.
I know I put the message a bit late on the messageboard,but I
still hope to meet some of his Vale family there.
Annemie
-- Posted by RobW on 1:01
am on May 29, 2001
I'll be there.
-- Posted by markwhite on
8:43 am on May 30, 2001
Ian's brother. We took Ian to
the Vale yesterday afternoon. Keith said a few words and we bought
Henry a Boomer the mascot toy. Vale were brilliant and special
thanks to Gary. Take care everybody.
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